6. Chicago

While not considered a technology hub, IT professionals can pull down some good coin in the nation's third largest city, and not be dragged down by the cost of living. The average unadjusted annual salary is $95,386, with the average adjusted salary about 6.5 percent lower, at $89,091.

Data scientists and database administrators pull in average adjusted annual salaries of $107,585 and $94,991, respectively, second best out of the 15 cities.

And the living appears to be reasonable, with a median monthly rent of $2,346 for a two-bedroom apartment, according to the website Rent Jungle.